Salvia plant named &#39;Syracuse&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Salvia  cultivar named ‘Syracuse’ is disclosed, characterized by an upright, compact plant form, abundance of small rich coral pink flowers. Plants become stoloniferous with maturity and resist breakage. The new variety is a  Salvia microphylla , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Salvia microphylla.

Variety denomination: ‘Syracuse’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Salvia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Luen Miller, in Royal Oaks, Calif. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Salvia varieties with denser plant habits, strong garden performance, in a range of flower colors. The open pollination resulting in this new variety was made during Summer of 2009.

The seed parent is an unpatented, proprietary, Salvia microphylla. The pollen parent is unknown as it was an open pollination breeding program. The new variety was identified as a potentially interesting selection in June 2010, at a commercial nursery in Royal Oaks, Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Syracuse’ by terminal vegetative cuttings was first performed during June of 2010, at a commercial nursery in Royal Oaks, Calif. Subsequent propagation has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Syracuse’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Syracuse’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Syracuse’ as a new and distinct Salvia cultivar:

-   -   1. Rich coral pink flower color.     -   2. Vigorous, upright, compact plant form.     -   3. Excellent branch resilience and resistance to breakage.     -   4. Small flowers, produced heavily over a longer season.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Syracuse’ are similar to plants of the seed parent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘Syracuse’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has a much lighter flower color. The parent         variety has dark pink flowers.     -   2. Flowers of the new variety are approximately half the size of         flowers of the seed parent.     -   3. Plants of the new variety are more compact and dense in         habit.     -   4. Plants of the new variety have stronger, semi-stoloniferous         roots not seen in the parent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Syracuse’ can also be compared to the commercial variety Salvia ‘EGGBEN002’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,153. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘Syracuse’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Flowers of the new variety are approximately half the size of         flowers of this comparator.     -   2. Inflorescences of the new variety are taller and narrower         than those of this comparator.     -   3. The new variety produces more leaves per branch than this         comparator.     -   4. Flower color of the new variety is a different shade, and         does not have the white lip found in this comparator.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Syracuse’ can also be compared to the commercial variety Salvia ‘BALMIRPINK’, patent status unknown. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘Syracuse’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Flowers of the new variety have a narrower lower lip.     -   2. Branches are significantly more flexible and breakage         resistant than those of this comparator.     -   3. Roots are significantly more stoloniferous than those of this         comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typical plants of ‘Syracuse’ grown in a nursery, in Royal Oaks, Calif., in commercial 1 quarter containers. FIG. 1 includes other Salvia varieties with darker pink and lavender flowers. Plants of ‘Syracuse’ are the coral pink flowered plants in the center and lower portion of the photograph.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color typical flowers of ‘Syracuse’. Age of the plants photographed are approximately 26 weeks from unrooted cuttings. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Syracuse’ plants grown in a nursery in Royal Oaks, Calif. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 10° C. to 30° C. The nursery is un-shaded, giving bright, normal sunlight conditions. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Salvia microphylla ‘Syracuse’. -   Propagation:     -   -   Root description.—Fine, densely fibrous, becoming moderately             stoloniferous with maturity. Colors include Green-White 157D             on new growth and Orange-White 159C, Grey-Brown 199B and             199C for older roots and stolons. -   Plant:     -   -   Growth habit.—Upright and somewhat outwardly angled.         -   Pot size of plant described.—5 gallon pot.         -   Height.—Approximately 40 cm to top of foliage. Approximately             55 cm to top of flowering plane. Measured from soil level of             pot.         -   Plant spread.—Approximately 75 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Rapid.         -   Branching characteristics.—Very well branched; Approximately             4 to 5 branches emerging from a pinch, which branch into             another 4 to 5 primary lateral branches.         -   Length of primary lateral branches.—Approximately 18 to 30             cm.         -   Diameter of lateral branches.—Approximately 0.3 cm.         -   Quantity of lateral branches.—About 12 to 28.         -   Stem.—Color: One side typically near RHS Yellow-Green 144B,             the opposite side near Greyed-Purple N186C. Older growth             near Greyed-Purple 187A. Oldest growth woody, Texture: Very             slightly pubescent and typically 4 ribs. Older growth scaly.         -   Internode length.—Average range 3.5 to 4.0 cm.         -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 1.5 years. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Opposite. Quantity: Average range 18 to             36 fully expanded and immature leaves per main branch with             side branches. Average Length: Approximately 2.1 cm.             including petiole. Average Width: Approximately 1.0 cm.             Shape of blade: Obovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Broad attenuate.             Attachment: Stalked. Margin: Crenate. Texture of top             surface: Matte, glabrous. Finely reticulated. Texture of             bottom surface: Matte, glabrous. Prominent reticulated             veins. Color: Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A.             Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138A. Mature             foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage             under side: Near RHS Green 138A. Venation: Type: Reticulate.             Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A.             Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.             Petiole: Average Length: Approximately 0.3 cm. Diameter:             Approximately 0.1 cm. Color: Near Yellow-Green 144B. Other:             Foliage slightly aromatic. -   Flower:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Flowering from early Spring             through late Summer.         -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Flowers arranged in             verticillasters on spikes.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—Individual flowers last             approximately 7 to 10 days on the plant. Each spike lasts             approximately 6 to 8 weeks with flowers. Corolla             self-cleaning, calyx persistent.         -   Quantity of flowers.—About 10 to 16 buds and 12 to 20 fully             opened flowers per spike, at one time. Mature plants have             approximately 40 to 60 spikes.         -   Spike size.—Diameter: Approximately 4.5 cm. Height:             Approximately 10.0 to 17.0 cm.         -   Individual flowers.—.         -   Size.—Diameter: Approximately 1.1 cm. Length: Approximately             2.6 cm. Fragrance: Moderately strong musty aromatic scent.         -   Corolla.—Petal arrangement: The corolla is sympetalous and             typically bilabiate with 2 small, fully fused lobes forming             a single upper lip and 3 larger fused lobes forming a lower             lip.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Tip shape.—Upper lip tip obtuse, lower lip tip retuse.         -   Length.—Upper lip Approximately 0.8 cm, Lower lip             Approximately 0.9 cm. Tube length Approximately 1.5 cm.             Width: Upper lip: Approximately 0.4 cm, lower lip             Approximately 1.2 cm. Tube width: Approximately 0.5 cm.             Texture: Upper lip: Glabrous interior, very slightly             pubescent exterior. Lower lip: Glabrous all surfaces.         -   Color.—Upper Lip: When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS Red             49D. Outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N57C. Fully opened:             Inner surface: Near RHS Red 49D. Outer surface: Near RHS             Red-Purple 61C. Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS Red 49D.             Outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 61D.         -   Color.—Lower Lip: When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS Red             52A. Outer surface: Near RHS Red 52B. Fully opened: Inner             surface: Near RHS Red 52B. Outer surface: Near RHS Red 54B.             Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS Red 55A. Outer surface: Near             RHS Red 55B.         -   Color.—Tube: When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS             Red-Purple 69B. Outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 61D.             Fully opened: Inner surface: Near RHS Red 55C. Outer             surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N57C. Fading: Inner surface:             Near RHS Red 55C. Outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N57D.         -   Bud.—Flower bud includes immature calyx which completely             surrounds immature corolla. Shape: Ovoid. Length:             Approximately 1.2 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.4 cm. Color:             Near RHS Red-Purple N57B.         -   Calyx.—Length: Approximately 1.0 cm. Diameter: Approximately             0.7 cm. Shape: Tubular.         -   Sepals.—Shape: Quantity per flower: 3, fused to form a tube.             Unfused apex. Length: Approximately 0.3 cm unfused portion.             Width: Approximately 0.4 cm. Margin: Entire. Apex: Short             apiculate. Texture: Softly pubescent and ridged. Color:             Immature: Base near Green 138A, center Greyed-Purple N187B,             apex N186A. Stripes over entire surface near N187A. Mature:             Base near Green 138A, apex N186A. Stripes over entire             surface near N187A.         -   Peduncle.—Length: Average 3.5 cm. Diameter: 0.3 cm. Color:             One side typically near RHS Yellow-Green 144B, the opposite             side near Greyed-Purple N187A. Orientation: Straight.             Occurring at approximately 15 degree angle from center of             plant. Strength: Moderately strong. Texture: Glabrous at             maturity, very slightly pubescent when immature. Ridged.         -   Pedicels.—Length: Average range 0.2 to 0.3 cm. Diameter:             0.1 cm. Color: Near RHS Greyed-Purple N187A. Orientation:             Straight, approximately 25 degree angle from attachment.             Strength: Strong. Texture: Pubescent. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number: 2. Filament length: Approximately 0.6 cm.             Filament color: Near RHS White N155B, very slightly flushed             Red 55C.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Linear. Length: 0.1 cm. Color: Near RHS             Yellow-Orange 22A. Pollen: Scant pollen observed, colored             near RHS Yellow 12C. Pistil: Number: 1. Length:             Approximately 2.4 cm. Style: Length: Approximately 2.0 cm.             Color: Near RHS White N155D. Stigma: Shape: Forked. Color:             Near RHS Red-Purple 60D. Ovary: Colored near RHS Green 138D,             oblong, approximately 0.2 cm long and 0.1 in diameter. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Seeds and fruits.—Seed production not observed. Reduced and             malformed ovary, plant may be sterile.         -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor             susceptibility to pathogens and pests common to Salvia             microphylla have been observed.         -   Temperature tolerance.—The new variety tolerates             temperatures within USDA zones 3 to 8. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Salvia plant named ‘SYRACUSE’ as herein illustrated and described. 